I recently had a client who wanted to put his son on the gluten free diet
for autism. I didn't know much about it, so I asked the Knowledge Center of
the American Dietetic Association. Below is the response:
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy Marcason [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2000 9:58 AM
To: Beals, Kelly S
Subject: Autistic children
Hi Kelly,
Although there have been a few anecodal reports of symptoms related to
autism improving with a gluten-free diet, no controlled, double-blind
studies demonstrating a connection between autism and gluten intolerance
have been published. In fact, two published studies suggest that there is
no link:
Sponheim E. [Gluten-free diet in infantile autism. A therapeutic trial]
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegenforening. 1991; 111(6) 704-7. (abstract).
In this small study (n=7), children with autism were provoked with
gluten/placebo in a double-blind study or were given a gluten-free diet for
six months. No behavioral changes were observed with the gluten-free
diet.
Pavone L, et al. Autism and celiac disease: failure to validate a
hypothesis that a link might exist.Biological Psychiatry 1997; 42:72-75.
Eleven children with autism were screened for celiac disease (IgA and IgG
antigliadin antibodies and/or jejunal biopsy). None of the children were
diagnosed with celiac disease. Of 120 children with celiac disease screened
for autism, none were found to have autistic behaviors.
Other nutrition-related therapies for autism include:
NuThera, a vitamin B6 and magnesium (the thought is that autism might be
related to a B6 deficiency). The company states that a typical dose is 1g
vitamin B6. Toxicity has been seen in adults at doses of 2 g.
Dimethylglycine (DMG) is sold in health food stores and by the same company
that sells NuThera. No controlled studies have been done, and no side
effects are known.
One RD view how how she works with families....
When talking to families, I tried to look for possible harmful effects of
"alternative therapies" (for example, low calcium intake with a milk-free
diet, struggles around food with an already picky eater, and the expense
of a supplement when finances were strained) and make recommendations. I
think it is important to support families when they feel a therapy is
effective and not to alienate them by saying, "No it isn't." Parents were
much more willing to share information and to accept what I had to say when
I took an objective approach to special diets and supplements.
www.autism-society.org/autism.html
Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3015
Tel: (800)-3AUTISM
(301)-657-0881
Hope this helps.
Wendy Marcason,RD
ADA Knowledge Center
In addition to this answer, I have heard other discussions among dietitians
saying much of the same--that the diet does not really improve symptoms.
Kelly S. Beals, RD, CLC
Naval Hospital Beaufort
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